Term 1 Week 8: From the Deputy Principal | Mission and Catholic Identity

The first step in faith, in the spiritual life is not our own; it is God who takes the initiative. God is always the first mover. God seeks us out! We find God in the call to love. God does not get caught up in our past or future like we do. God uses our past and mistakes to move us closer to each other and more specifically, to God. God leads us to fall into God – in other words, falling in love.

On Monday 20 March, I shared the above reflection as part of the gathering prayer for the parents, family members and staff who gathered in the Marist Auditorium for the screening of ‘Most Likely to Succeed’. As we move through the third week in our Lenten journey it is worth asking the question; ‘Have I created a space in which I stand back and let God come to me where I am, rather than for me to always take control?’. In our own families and Newman community, are we open to the work of God in calling each of us to respond to the needs of those closest to us?

St Joseph’s College Northam Partners with Newman College - Philippines Immersion – Saturday 25 November – Thursday 7 December 2017In 2017, students in Year 11 will again participate in an international Immersion to the Philippines. As a developing tradition at the College, Mr Finneran and myself opened the application process to Year 11 on Wednesday 22 March. This year the opportunity to participate in this immersion will be offered to 10 students in Year 11 from Newman College, and 3 students from one of our Marist sister-schools, St Joseph’s College, Northam. In speaking to both the Year 11 students at Newman College and St Joseph’s this week, Mr Finneran and myself invited both groups of young people to consider how they may seek to be active witnesses to the gospel imperatives of faith, justice and solidarity. I look forward to continue to working with our young people on this journey. Applications close on Thursday 11 May.

Fundraising for Project Compassion – Week 3 of LentThank you to those students and families who have made generous contributions to the 2017 Project Compassion fundraising initiatives to support the work of Caritas Australia. As a College we have a significant capacity to contribute to those who experience ongoing dislocation, poverty and disadvantage. We have two weeks remaining as a College community to support the work of Caritas. I encourage you to find out more by visiting the Caritas website: http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion

Stations of the Cross and Easter Para Liturgies – PK-12 (Week 10)In Week 10, parents, and families are invited to join us in marking the Easter season by attending one or a combination of the following:

Newman College Evangelisation Plan – 2017In June 2017, Newman College will launch its Evangelisation Plan which is the culmination of the community consultation and engagement which occurred during 2016. The aim of this plan is to provide a point of reference for our community as we seek to develop and engage our students, families, parishes and staff in contemporary ways of animating the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our College Evangelisation Plan will seek to connect four key elements: